A Great Toy

I think many parents wonder why they even invest in toys. That thought crosses my mind multiple times in one day. Little guys always want to play with the 'big' stuff; cell phones, remotes, keys, and laundry. Laundry? Yep.

Yesterday I was working on a couple loads and pulled out the kids' laundry basket. When I walked to my room to start sorting I heard little guys in the hallway. They were sorting too. Except not in any way that was helping me. They were sorting in and out.

Take the clothes out. Done. Put the clothes back in. Done.

Unfortunately for me they stopped at the take the clothes out stage. It was cute nonetheless to see them so intrigued by my chores. Have I ever mentioned I LOVE these little guys???

Meat Loaf Miniatures for Now and Later!

I have a friend who I taught with who says there are three things in life that she hates...

1. Willie Nelson
2. El Caminos
3. Meat Loaf

Everyone at school would joke with her that we one day we would show up at her house in an old El Camino playing some Willie Nelson, and have some yummy meat loaf waiting for her. You could almost see her vomit right there.
If you are like my friend Shari, you'd better skip this recipe. However, if you are a meat loaf lovin' fool, this one is for you! Personally, I have never been a meat loaf fan until I came across this one, and tweeked it a little. It is now one my brother-in-law asks about frequently.
Meat Loaf Miniatures

• 1 cup ketchup
• 3 to 4 Tbsps packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 2 eggs beaten
• 4 tsp Worchestershire sauce
• 3 cups saltines crushed
• 3 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp seasoning salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 lbs lean ground beef

In a large bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Remove 1/2 cup for topping; set aside. Add eggs, Worchestershire sauce, saltines, and seasonings to remaining ketchup mixture; mix well. Let stand for 5 minutes. Crumble in beef and mix well.
Put a cookie cooling rack on top of a lipped baking sheet (this allows the grease to drain off the meat while cooking), or use a muffing pan. Begin to make inch thick hamburger patties. Set on cooling rack. Bake @ 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with reserved ketchup mixture; bake 5-10 minutes longer. Serve what you like, and allow other meat loaves to cool; freeze. Transfer to freezer bags. Will store for up to 3 months.
Using frozen meat loaves: Completely thaw in the refrigerator. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Happy Cooking!

Party Time!

It's seems too fast to have already celebrated Addie first birthday with a party, but the time came and it went (sob, sob). We had a great time with all of our family at the party. She was spoiled with WAY too many clothes. Seriously, the girl could wear one outfit everyday for the entire Fall season and never repeat an outfit! Her Papi also found some killer girl toys for her...her first purse and her first tea set. Which this is all too perfect because he bought her the very first baby doll too. Below are some pics from her party...

Addie is generally a sweet, sweet girl, but she will let you know if she's not happy. Brother was trying to take her balloon, so she HAD to let him know it wasn't okay.

I love these people!

Lincoln and Kate trying to get in on the cake action.

Present Time...

Daddy pouring his little lady her first cup of tea.

Showing Addie how to check her hair do with the new mirror from her purse...

Helping her with the lipstick...

Do you think Daddy is a little smitten by her?

We went for Addie's 1 year check-up and surprise surprise, she's still tiny! Only weighing in at a whopping 16 lbs 7 oz (less than the 3rd percentile for weight). She average for her height at 29 inches. Long and skinny...yep, sounds like my kids!

Good Girl Gone Glad

So a fellow blogger Good Girl Gone Glad (http://jessekpeak.blogspot.com/), sent me a blog award and there are some rules that go along with it...

• Recognize who sent the award and add a link to their page (check out Jesse's if you like to look at all things beautiful while listening to soothing and calming music)
• Tell 10 things about yourself.
• Award 7 new fellow bloggers.
• Seems like there was something else, but I already forgot and I don't want to toggle between two screens.

So here goes nothing...

All Things Amanda

1. This is my first year to be a stay at home mom. I find it much easier than being a working mom.
2. I was a fourth grade teacher for 7 years, and never saw myself doing anything but that until the day I retire.
3. My passion in life is God, my family, and my church.
4. I have entered the world of couponing and I am addicted. I have always been a pretty frugal shopper, but this has really sent me over the edge!
5. I love to cook, and enjoy meal planning for my family.
6. I would really like to someday to start a business of cooking for other families. Kind of like having homecooked meals, take-out style. Weird, I know.
7. I find it much easier to deal with children than to deal with adults. They don't play mind games often, and when they do it's pretty easy to figure them out.
8. I depise clutter.
9. My husband is an identical twin so I sometimes feel like I have 2 husbands.
10. My dream home would be one of those houses out by Woodward Park...1950's style with a total remodel on the inside. But until God decides to dump a couple million dollars on my lap, it will remain a dream home.

Blogs I would like to award are...

• Perryman Adoption
• Growing with the Gambills
• What's New with the Kueny's

I know it's supposed to be 7 people, but I'm tired and going to bed!

Addison Elisabeth is ONE!

Well, I dropped the camera and broke it this week, so this is the most up to date photo of my one year old. A little ironic that on her one year post picture she's sleeping. For her first year of life she has spent very little time sleeping. This girl loves to be with her mommy...day or night! Even right now she is crawling in and out of my legs as I type.

Her first year has brought so many memories and blessed me beyond measure. I never new what a special bond you could have with a daughter so early on. I'm told she is a mini-me, and I guess that's all right as long as she makes some better choices during her teenage years!

So for Addie's one year here are some things about her...

• She gets into everything, and if she can't reach it she'll climb to get it.
• She isn't walking yet, but sure has the crawling down...and the climbing!
• She thinks she is just as big as her brother and will do anything he does.
• She's a cuddler. Major cuddler. After her naps, she likes to lay down with you for about 10 minutes before she's off to play.
• She loves taking things out of boxes or purses only to put them right back in.
• She likes to clean (Lord, please let this continue!). If you give her a rag she'll start wiping stuff down.
• Her favorite word is "no", and let me tell you it is VERY clear.
• She has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger.
• She has her Mommy wrapped around her little finger.
• She is LOVED by so many.

Happy Birthday Little Mama!

We LOVE you!

Spinach Pizza

1 refrigerated pizza crust
1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
4 cups chopped spinach
2 chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1 cup mozzarella cheese
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

• Roll out refrigerated pizza dough onto a 13 x 9 greased baking sheet. Spread Alfredo sauce onto dough.
• Sprinkle on spinach, chicken, bacon, and tomatoes evenly.
• Top with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake @ 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until crust in golden brown.

This is one of our favorite homemade pizzas. Both kids eat it up, and it's great with all that spinach!

Happy Cooking!

Top 5

Top 5 Mason Funnies for the week...

5. Addison says, "No". Mase responds, "You don't say no to me Addison!"

4. "Shhhhh! I'm trying to watch tv guys. You too loud!"

3. In reference to the lady in front of us in line, "That lady has stinky booty."

2. "I want to go outside and ride my cooter." (That would be his Scooter)

1. "Mama, turn it. This is a stinky song."